A Message from the Dean

In May, we graduated over 1,600 students from the various degree programs offered in the College of Health and Human Development. Their success affirms and inspires us in our mission to prepare competent and caring professionals who share our commitment to enhance and promote the health and well-being of the diverse communities we serve.

This issue highlights only a few of the many accomplishments in the College of Health and Human Development. To better respond to the shortage of trained nurses in the region and state, we have established a new Department of Nursing to provide more visibility and administrative support to the nursing program. We visit with retired Speech-Language Pathologist and teacher, Ruth Rothman, who established a scholarship for future speech-language pathologists. We also celebrate the success of our students by profiling a student designer and awardee of our spring fashion show held at the new Valley Performing Arts Center on campus. We also profile the innovative students who are developing a GPS device to assist the blind and visually impaired navigate the campus as part of the Master’s in Assistive Technology.

Thank you for your continued interest and support in the College of Health and Human Development and I look forward to partnering with you as we navigate through the challenges and opportunities that we face.

Sincerely,

Sylvia A. Alva
Dean, College of Health and Human Development

New: Department of Nursing

We are proud to announce that our renowned nursing program is now a full- fledged academic department, with Dr. Marianne Hattar-Pollara serving as Department Chair.

This new status will strengthen the ability of the College of Health and Human Development to educate future professionals and keep current nurses apace with developments in the field. Graduates of our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs are remedying the critical shortage of nurses in California and the US.

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Mother and Daughter Team

The Nursing program offers an accelerated nursing program for students who hold a bachelor’s degree and want to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and qualify to take the RN licensing exam in 15 months. The accelerated nursing program was established in 2007 and the 6th class graduated this summer.

The first class graduated in 2008 and among them was Olga Michalev, who emigrated with her family from Russia in the 1990’s and came to the US in the early 2000’s by way of Israel and Canada. This summer marked a momentous occasion for the Michalevs: Three years after Olga’s graduation, her daughter Elena also graduated from the program with her BSN.

Ruth Rothman: A Family Tradition of Helping Others

This summer, the early language and speech intervention program in the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences had a special visit from alumni and endowment benefactor Ruth Rothman. Before retirement, Ruth was a speech pathologist, speech teacher and therapist dedicated to helping children who have difficulty with communication and self-expression.

In 2010 Ruth established a scholarship program, combining current gifts, an endowment and a commitment from her estate, to help CSUN speech-language pathology students. It is her way of carrying on a family tradition of helping others.

Assistive Technology: A Step Ahead

GPS Project to Help Blind and Visually Impaired Navigate Campus

Getting Around Campus when you Cannot See the Signs: The Assistive Technology in Human Services program (ATHS) received funding from an Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation Grant.
A walk through the CSUN campus is a pleasure on almost any day. It’s a vibrant, active community, even on the weekends. As you become familiar with the campus you learn your way around, from the shortcuts to the scenic routes, and if you get lost there’s usually someone you can ask for help.

But for people who can’t see, navigation in any new place has always included a lot of guesswork and trial and error. At CSUN, it’s about to get a lot easier, thanks to an ambitious graduate project recently funded by a $20,000 grant from the Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation (ELA).

Kabrina Lee Feickert

The event was held at the new CSUN Valley Performing Arts Center and the panel of industry judges and audience were very impressed with the design collections of our students.
One of the awardees, Kabrina Lee Feickert, as a result of her success, has been accepted into the prestigious design competition of the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA).

Kabrina is a senior in the Apparel Design Merchandising Program, a minor in Theatre Design/Technology, and a recipient of the Dean’s Outstanding Senior Award. We spent 5 minutes with Kabrina to talk about her life's passion: fashion.

Founders' Day: September 23rd - All Alumni Invited

Join alumni and friends from your days at CSUN (or San Fernando Valley State College) at Founders' Day 2011 on September 23rd, from 9am to 3pm.

This annual event honors and reunites former students, faculty and staff, going all the way back to CSUN's days as San Fernando Valley State College. The Alumni Association has planned a day of fun activities, like a tour of the new Valley Performing Arts Center, a catered lunch, and a trolley tour to see how the campus has grown. Register today: $35.00 per person/ Free for 50-Year Club Inductees.

Health and Human Development News Online is the communications email newsletter for alumni, friends and supporters of the College of Health and Human Development, California State University, Northridge.

Our mission is to prepare competent and caring professionals who share our commitment to enhance and promote the health and well-being of the diverse communities we serve.
We advance our mission through our teaching, scholarship and service and we are guided by several unifying values: a commitment to academic quality, student success, community engagement, and educational effectiveness. Read more about our Mission, Values and Plan.